yo yo yo from africa

hey all
holla from guinea africa!
im having an amazing time here turning into a dancing machine
w are staying in a house about 2times the size of my parents house which is rediculous and the africans who hang out with us think we are all millionaires
the electricity and water supply are very spradic so we get pretty pumped when we gety it ive also learned to take a shower using just a bucket but it helps that its really hot here
i am also attempand learning french and susu (loocal language
last week the president of guinea died so its been a little intense; but there was a peacful coup and everyone seems to be happy with the sitiuation at the time
i was going to try to post some photos but the internet is slower than back in the day when we all used juno and read a book while waiting for the page to load
late merry christmas and early happy new year
trish

Christmas with the StrengerMolens

So, seeing as we are now on the very western of coasts, and fuel costs being what they are, me (Dan), Steph, Bob, and Megan chose not to return home for Christmas this year, but instead decided to plan and execute our own. Now, when I was younger, I thought that the planning of such festivities was an exhaustive endeavor, worthy of countless hours of preparation...yet, after completing the first such shin-dig without the help of any such parental type parents, I was astounded by how it easy it is!

Here, in no uncertain terms, our the ingrediants for a succesful Christmas Eve party:

1. Gather Supplies - 2. Gather Friends -

3. Get food and Have Bob Put It In the Oven -

4. Have Megan Put It In Bob -


6. Have Bob Take Food Out of the Oven -


7. Serve Food In An Aesthetically Pleasing Manner -


8. Enjoy! -



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

(Copyright) StrengerMolens - 2008

the joys of the christmas holidays while my husband has to work...

kyle and i got most of our christmas visiting done already (we just got back from michigan), so now we can relax and enjoy the holiday together, well sort of. kyle has to work the following:
christmas eve
christmas day
day after christmas
day after the day after christmas

new year's eve
new year's day
day after new year's day
day after the day after new year's day

of all of those days, i only have to work new year's eve (day). needless to say, I have decided to come up with things to do so that I don't end up just sitting around on my ass.
here's what I did today (day 1):
watched the price is right
called to refinance my mortgage
took the dingo to the frisbee park
drove kyle to work
went grocery shopping
made yummy broccoli slaw salad
baked cookies (I left them in a taaaad too long...a bit crispy)
baked muffins

here's what I still plan to do today:
watch the movie 'saved' - thank you steph for all of the wonderful movies you have bestowed on me:)
start a new book
paint a picture frame
research making a slip cover for my couch (dingo's claws keep snagging the fabric)
wash the dishes
take a bath
fold the laundry
feed our friend's cat
pick up kyle from work
(note, some of the previously mentioned tasks may take place while I watch the movie)

might as well make the most of my vacation days :)

hope you all are looking fine and feeling good!

signing off for now~
Constance the Badger

We Moved to Portland for THIS??

So, it is no secret that I hate snow. In fact, hate might not be a strong enough word. I despise snow. Loath snow. Hope snow gets audited by the IRS and brought up on tax evasion charges. So, it was with excitement that I entered into my first full winter as a resident of Oregon (the land of, on average, TWO inches of snow per year). Piece of cake! No big deal (N.B.D.)! "I can handle that," I said to my self...

Well, little did I know that an entire area of the country (in this case the Mid-West) was capable of literally picking itself up and following me somewhere. In the past week and a half I have witnessed the greatest single snowfall in 40-plus years for the region, only gone to work ONCE, and have had to shovel out my car from under heads of ice-leaden snow piles not just once, but TWICE! Merry fricken Christmas.

For those of you that don't believe me, here is a photo we took of Bob attempting to leave the house to go buy groceries:
At least he looks cute in his new had and wizards beard.

All I want for Christmas is a job...

Hey All! Megan here. I am so glad that this blog is working! I have been having a great time reading up on what everyone is up to. Bob and I moved out to Portland about a month ago, and we are having a great time. Dan and Steph have been showing us the ropes and we heard today that Liz and Ty are coming to Portland on January 12! (If you didn't have reason to visit before, now you do.) We have been hiking, exploring, drinking, eating, christmas tree shopping and most of all looking for jobs.


Unfortunately, no luck yet. Before we left, everyone said, "Oh, you'll find jobs, you are such great people!" But you know what? You cannot write that on a resume/application. Luckily we have some leads on jobs and are not getting discouraged. It is more like a month-long vacation.

Other than that I hope that everyone is having a great holiday season! And let me know if you have more email addresses for me to add to this blog. We want to get everyone involved in this.

Taking this blogging thing and running

Hi guys
For your viewing pleasure.
Here is my Christmas tree.
It was wild, we cut it down from the state forest. I paid $10 to the state and tromped through the woods for her.
At least I have a legit tree stand, my dad would be proud.

I'm leaving for Africa on Friday and I didn't want to hog this blog for my updates, so I made my own travel blog http://triciaselin.blogspot.com
I promise to post on this blog too if I have time.
See you later!

I feel lame because I'm still in GR

Yes, I have not moved. Does that make me lame? This is also my first blog post too. Double Lame.

Not much is new with me, I'm still working at Planned Parenthood in fundraising. And was recently surrounded by 5600 pieces of paper because of our end of the year appeal, it was very nice to send those off in the mail! We recently got a new VP of development which is very exciting because we have needed more help for many months now.

Nick and I are doing well. Nick is working at Veenstra's Auto which is in walking distance from the apt. He really likes the place even tho he is not making any money at all.

The two dogs are still as crazy as ever. We tried to put socks on them and watch them run around on our wood floors. It was not as funny as we thought. They love the snow and are constantly whining to go outside.

I'm trying to get in the Christmas spirit amongst the craziness and I'm really looking forward to all those who moved away to come back for a couple of days. The G-Rap all stars back again!

I Wish I was Doogie Howser

Hey Guys! It's been great to hear what everyone's been doing. Sadly, I'm not going to write here much (ever?) because I already have a blog here but you can expect consistent and persistent stalking from me.

Also, I don't think I'm allowed to be on this blog because we'll actually be moving back into Grand Rapids. I'll be moving back after graduation this May, to begin work at a law firm in town, while Dave finishes up his last year of school in Detroit. Then we are going to save up for a hot tub.

So, my dog just pissed right next to me, Dave is playing Skate on the Xbox, and I'm blogging instead of studying. That's pretty much our life in a nutshell. Loves it!

Hopefully we will see most of you over the holidays! Sufjan Stevens' Christmas album is on constant repeat over here, and our 4-ft Christmas tree is finally up, so we are definitely ready for Christmas break! We even made cookies today. Guess what ones Dave made?

Ah...Dingo

The Dingo loves himself some squirrels. He has accompanied me to work today (i am able to take him in whenever I want, but I try to limit it to once a week because he is so cute and a big distraction). We went outside about an hour ago to play catch with his tennis ball behind my building and immediately after coming outside, he saw squirrel movement. Away he went, so fast!!! He nearly got him because, for whatever reason, the squirrel ran along the ground a ways before running up a tree. We went back to the tennis ball and when the squirrel thought Dingo wasn't looking, he darted down the tree he was in to make a get away. Dingo saw him and the chase continued!! But the squirrel eventually found another tree and Dingo took some time to take a crap. He's so cute!!

One time, a month or two ago, Kyle was walking the Dingo in our neighborhood and he actually caught a squirrel. He actually snuck up on the rodent and snagged him before he could get away. I don't think Dingo ate him, but he got a good bite in!

For those of you traveling back to MI for the holidays, Kyle, Dingo and I will be in town December 17th - 21st. Miss you all!

Grortlanders

Hi all,

I'm really stoked about this blog so I wanted to say thanks to whomever created it (Bob, Megan, Dan, Steph). It's a great way for us all to keep in touch.

Allison and I checked out some thanksgiving pictures on Megan's face book page. It looked like you all had a wonderful scrumtrulesant dinner. Hey Bob! How did the turkey turn out? My thanksgiving went well. I ate with Allison and her family and then proceeded to watch the lovable lions get there ass handed to them. I took them a whopping 52 seconds of game time to fuck things up (fumble on first possession) and 53 seconds for me to fall asleep. At least we have the Pistons and Wings right!

To all friends in the mitten I miss you and can't wait to be back for the holidays. Allison and I will arrive on Dec. 24th and stay until Jan. 2nd so I have plenty of time to have fun and get drunk with everyone. Those in Portland who will not be back for the holidays I miss you too and will see you come spring. Allison and I are coming out to visit for her schools spring break (probably sometime in April).

Well I guess this is the end of my blog spot.............my first ever blog posting by the way. Hope all is well my Michiganders and Oregonians. I will see you in time.

Oh yeah the title of this blog is Grand Rapids and Portland morphed into one word........(I love you Dan and miss your word combining skills)

Peace

Portland in a nutshell

I live in Portland.

For those of you who were not already aware:

- It is a city with very snazzy scenery -


- They have natural hot springs that you can go to and get naked (if you so please) -



- The lighting is always very flattering -



You should come and visit!

(we have a tiny pull-out couch)

Hello from the land of computers, coffee and winter raiiinnnn

Hellloooo
What a fantastic idea!
I was just lamenting on how sad I was that I'm not coming home for Christmas this year, but THIS! This could possibly help me feel just a bit more connected. So thanks guys.
I've been living in Seattle for about a year and a half, and am super pumped that others are moving westernly.
I live in a cozy house with a friend from college in North Seattle.
I'm working as a program assistant/everyone's bitch at a cancer research center focusing on ovarian and breast cancer. And the coolest/sickest part of the job is I get to draw people's blood. Is it weird that I enjoy doing that so much? I dunno
I'm also learning how to be a reproductive health/HIV educator cause I think AIDS is lame, and that empowered birth control users will change the world!!! :)
This Christmas I'll be heading to Guinea, West Africa for a 3 week dance and drum camp. I'm going with 7 other dancers from Seattle, and will be taught how to shake some booty from some beautiful Guinean men (and women)
Apparently there is this amazing tailor who can make amazing clothes for anyone anywhere, so if any of you feel the need for a tailor made outfit for like $20 give me your measurements and I'll bring you home something.
I may try to make it home to the good ole G-Rap in the spring...
but I vote for a West Coast visit!
Hey Portland/Ty and Liz (I'm sorry I forgot where you guys ended up) people, wanna hang out sometime soon?
I'll be gone till January, but would be up for a trip down there or have a futon to share if you'd fancy a visit to Seattle!

Signing off

-Tricia

motivational posters

where are they now? - i feel like a famous G-RAP celebrity!

Hey all!!!


Fabulous idea...quite smashing, indeed!

And, actually, this is my first blog ;) Don't make fun of me if i suck at it.

I just finished eating a spectacular Thanksgiving potluck with my funky coworkers. I'm a bit hungover due to 6 dudes from Grand Rapidy arriving via automobile last night around 10pm. Abbe and I prepared a bunch of stellar Greek food for our T-Day feast last night as well...great greek smells, drinks, and smoke...an excellent time for sure. Those of you who were unable to make it this year, you will be missed and we will think of you during our wheel barrel (sp?) races later tonight.

Our animal family members are as witty and full of personality as ever - Dingo (frisbee master extraordinaire), Wicket (dog-like mischievous master with crazy extra thumbs), and Seasame/Little Black Kitten (secret kung-fu ninja, who likes a beating).

I love my job - I run the Organic and Natural Experience tour - free samples and education of some of the industry's leading organic and natural product companies. We run the tour from our small office in Minneap - I attend about 3 of the 22 events during the tour (we have a traveling tour manager that executes the other events).

www.OrganicandNaturalExperience.com

It is cold in Minnesota, but i do love this state. I am really excited to snowboard this season and hope to make it up to Duluth to check out Lutsen Mountain. I hear it is wicked.

Love you all!!!
Constance the Badger (thank bill byl/ty doornbos for that nickname)

ps: was my first blog okay?

Love You Long Time

First of all, let me just say that I think this is a most righteous idea. Of all the blog reading I do, it never occurred to me they could be used as a means to keep in touch and exchange stories. A mutli-authored blog among friends that have moved to different corners of the country/world? Genius. Straight up.

I already blog here, but mostly about Chinese language stuff and no one from back home reads it anyway.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you people.

While I'm at it I may as well say a little about what I've been up to lately.

I'm in Nanjing where I've been for a little over a year now. I've taught at a few different places over my time, including a small town where I taught babies, but I've been settled into teaching adults downtown at a center for about 9 months now and I love it. It hasn't alwasy been easy, but I do find myself fitting the role of teacher quite nicely and I enjoy it thoroughly. 

My Chinese is coming along very nicely but I have no intention to stopping now. Lately though, I've gotten to a point where I don't/can't improve by simply living here and for that reason I'll be getting a teacher and starting a few hours of 'formal' classes a week pretty soon. I'm looking forward to it. Level up. 

I've also been on the radio twice and in the local newspaper speaking Chinese which is pretty rad.

I'll probably move back to Shanghai sometime early next year where I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. There's more money to made there and in addition to students loans I need to pay off, I want to start saving more for travel. I'm thinking of riding a bike cross country and then going up into Tibet. (Sound a bit crazy? Yes, yes it is. It will, however, be a hell of a lot of fun.)

The only long-term ideas I have are for a possible masters in U.S.-China Relations, but I have no idea where or when I'd do that just yet. 

Anyway, that's all for now. I look forward to hearing from you guys on here!

Ty, Liz, Chris, Jay, Aaron and Kat made it out here this summer and it was a hell of a time. I've got more pictures from the trip on picasa here and Tyler does on flickr here. I can't wait to see any of you people out here again sometime. If anyone wants to make a trip to China, just say the word. I'll be waiting for you at the airport. : )

Q: What Proof Is This Drink?

A: Water Proof!!!!



ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Welcome to the G-Rap All Stars Blog!

To all of you who have been invited to this blog,

You better feel frickin' GD special. I, Megan Streng (Koeze) in conjunction with Daniel Vandermolen (Vogg) - my fellow Portlander have decided that enough is enough. The group that is so effectionately known as "The G-Rap All Stars" (Present company most indubidubly included) has for too long been subject to the facsist regimes known as facebook and myspace in order to keep in touch. Well, our time has come, and it is time to BLOG!

Our intention is to use this venue as an outlet to communicate most effectively with our good friends who started out in the "Good, Great, Grand?" world of West Michigan, and have since found home in a new city. From Detoit to Portland, many of us have moved on to bigger and better things. Oh yeah, those still in G-Rap can post as well:)

You have been given the invitation, now all you have to do is accept. Start posting the exciting and not-so exciting events going on in your lives. And please, send me email addresses that I do now have, so that this blog can include everyone who loves and hates Grand Rapids!